HOW LONG WILL A BAG OF BARBECUE PELLETS LAST ?

[N. Ontario Smoker]

I'm looking at getting a pellet grill and I am trying to figure out cooking cost. The following is what I read. How close are they?

On HIGH, the grill uses 2 pounds of pellets per hour.

On MEDIUM the grill uses 1 pound per hour.

On SMOKE the grill uses one-half pound per hour.

[TMB]

Not sure, but mine is more like 1.5 lbs for high per hr,   Just under a pound for Med and low Issa close to half pound

[Savannahsmoker]

I'm looking at getting a pellet grill and I am trying to figure out cooking cost. The following is what I read. How close are they?

On HIGH, the grill uses 2 pounds of pellets per hour.

On MEDIUM the grill uses 1 pound per hour.

On SMOKE the grill uses one-half pound per hour.

That is a a good overall average and if I was planning I would use what you have because it will be not that far off to make a lot of difference.

[teesquare]

That is VERY brand of pellet grill dependent.

Thhe Yoder I owned burned 5 lb. hr on high.

[smokeasaurus]

The Rec Tec and Camp Chef have good pellet consumption. Consumption can be higher on a cold day or night. Some mfg's offer thermal blankets custom fit for your grill. Welding blankets are effective.

I have found it amusing when a pellet grill is being considered how cost and usage is so crucial. I only say this because I was freaked out about it as well. Took me years to get over it. I never sweated it when I was buying boat loads of Kingsford or having 1000 lbs of wood splits dropped off.......I have stopped caring and just fill my hopper and move on. No more chopping or black widows or the "hidden" wasp nest for The Smoke..............

All things BBQ have a sweet deal on bbq's delight pellets. 3 20# bags for 59.99 and that includes shipping.....................

[N. Ontario Smoker]

  I see pellets are about the same price as in Canada. Charcoal is the big rip off here. When you get your holiday
2 bags for $10 we pay $11 for one smaller bag, about $1.00 per pound. That's why I was doing a price compare. I think a pellet grill would also be more suited for our winters over charcoal. Plus I would like a break from the charcoal taste like you.
                                                            Thanks  All.

[smokeasaurus]

  I see pellets are about the same price as in Canada. Charcoal is the big rip off here. When you get your holiday
2 bags for $10 we pay $11 for one smaller bag, about $1.00 per pound. That's why I was doing a price compare. I think a pellet grill would also be more suited for our winters over charcoal. Plus I would like a break from the charcoal taste like you.
                                                            Thanks  All.

Dansons is Canadian based and they make Louisiana and Pit Boss grills. They also have their own brand of pellets with the Pit Boss Comp pellets being way cheaper than the Louisiana and I would bet dollars to donuts that they are the same pellets.

[smoker pete]

I have found it amusing when a pellet grill is being considered how cost and usage is so crucial. I only say this because I was freaked out about it as well. Took me years to get over it. I never sweated it when I was buying boat loads of Kingsford or having 1000 lbs of wood splits dropped off.......I have stopped caring and just fill my hopper and move on. No more chopping or black widows or the "hidden" wasp nest for The Smoke..............

I agree smoke - I used to be concerned about pellet usage and prices also but I've since learned that "... it is what it is!! ...". Just like gasoline. When the prices jump up 20 cents a gallon overnight am I going to stop buying gas? Of course the answer is no. Whether it's pellets, charcoal, propane, or wood people choosing to use their favorite fuel to cook and smoke with might bitch and moan but they're still going to pay the price.

Having said that - I tell people that my MAK 2 Star averages out to about 1 pound an hour. I buy my pellets now at Cash & Carry for a decent price (~ $10 for a 20 lb bag). Every time I visit them I pick up 2 or 3 bags just to maintain my stash and make sure I never run out of pellets. I used to also carry 3 or 4 different flavors of pellets but I now exclusively just use Hickory. Works great with just about everything. Course, that's just my personal preference.

[muebe]

An insulated pellet grill will use much less pellets but the unit can cost much more than a non insulated one.

The controller will also be a factor. More intelligent is better on fuel management and temp control.

Also cold weather will increase consumption.

But a pellet grill is ready to use in minutes and shuts off quickly so there is less wasted fuel.

Buying bulk can save you money so sometimes joing others on a buy is a good way to go.

[Hub]

Net, net bottom line:

Longer in the summer than in the winter
Longer in a well-insulated cooker than a non-insulated one
Longer if your cooker has a PID controller than if it doesn't
Longer when you're smoking than when you're grilling
Longer if the wood in them is of a higher heat-producing "breed"
Longer if you cook out less often 

Don't agonize or get OC over pellet usage.  Pellets (whether purchased in a group buy for a few cents a pound or shipped out full retail from an online source) are a reasonably-priced heat source.  Less price volatile in some respects to the vagaries of wood treatment supplies and petroleum.

Hub

[Savannahsmoker]

Net, net bottom line:

Don't agonize or get OC over pellet usage. 

Hub

X1 Exactly